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Post your US groups with Foreign awards!


LYONSJ9
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It’s a slow night at work and I’m feeling bored. I’d love to see your groups with interesting foreign awards! Post them below! 

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I’ll start this off with a few of mine! 
 

Grouping of Major General George David Shea:

 

WWI hero, commander of XIX Corps Artillery during WWII, and Commanding Officer of the 8th Army and the 10th Mountain Division during the early 1950’s. 

 

George David Shea was born to a middle class family in Augusta Georgia on January 11, 1894. A few years after his graduation, he enlisted in the US Army as a Private in 1915, with the dream of one day becoming a General. Though it would appear his goal in life was quite lofty, he would eventually prove everyone wrong who doubted his ability to achieve it. 

 

After advancing to the rank of Lieutenant in under two years, the United States declared war on Germany, and the young Georgian Lieutenant would find himself at the center of the action in the famed 2nd Division. 

 

Being granted the temporary rank of Captain of Artillery, Shea would distinguish himself on numerous occasions during the Great War, earning three Silver Citation Stars for conducting reconnaissance on German machine gun and artillery positions from no man’s land at the battles of Chateau Thierry and Meuse-Argonne.

 

After the conclusion of the Great War, Shea served with the occupation force in Germany, where the fate of his temporary rank of Captain would be decided. Though Shea proved himself to be a more than capable officer, and a great leader to his men, many conservative, older officers felt that he should not be promoted due to his lack of formal education. After heated debate and over the loud objections of these individuals, he would retain his rank of Captain and continue to serve throughout the 1920’s in various artillery roles. 
 

After successive promotions to Major, Lieutenant Colonel, and Colonel while  serving as Director of Animal Transportation at Ft. Sill, Assistant Chief of Staff of the 8th Division, and Full Chief of Staff of the 8th Division, America’s sudden entry into the Second World War would allow Shea’s career to reach new heights. With his highly impressive leadership and artillery skills noted, now Brigadier General Shea would be placed in command of the Artillery Component of the 90th Division, where his relentless drilling and training exercises would help ready them for the future invasion of France. After impressing his superiors with what he had done with the 90th Division, Shea would be given a much larger and somewhat more prestigious command as the Commanding General of the Artillery component of the newly created XIX Corps. With the same zeal and efficiency shown throughout his career, he readied his men for the massive part they’d play in the European Theater. 

 

Landing in Normandy shortly after D- Day, Shea and his men set up positions and began shelling German positions in Cherbourg. In spite of a massive shortage of ammunition, Shea’s men were able to blast away the remaining German strongpoints, and liberate the City. After supporting the allied attacks on St. Lo and Vire, once out of the treacherous Norman hedgerows, Shea’s men supported the US Army’s mad dash through France crossing the Seine mere months later, and pushing into Belgium and the Low Countries. 

 

It would be here that Shea would help liberate Holland and Belgium from the Wehrmacht, earn the prestigious Order of Orange-Nassau for his leadership in the campaign, and famously smash through the seemingly unbreakable Siegfried Line, bursting open the door for the western allies to begin their rush into the German homeland. 

After leading his men through the brutal Ruhr Valley offensive, and pushing through an increasingly more desperate and determined enemy, General Shea’s men finally made their way to Wittenberg on the Elbe in the April of 1945, meeting up with their Soviet Allies, and enjoying some much deserved merrymaking and Vodka. It would be during the festivities that General Shea and his men were bestowed with the prestigious title of “Honorary Guards of the Soviet Union”, with General Shea being among many who were personally awarded Soviet Guards Badges. 

 

With the War in Europe over, General Shea would serve on occupation duty in Germany until being transferred to the Pacific in the final months of the war. Serving as Commander of the 86th Division’s Artillery section and serving in Philippine- Ryukus Command.

 

With the extensive lobbying efforts of such famed commanders as Douglas MacArthur, Alfred Wedemeyer, and Mark Clark, Brigadier General Shea was finally promoted to Major General, and placed in command of the 8th Army and later the 10th Mountain Division in the early 1950’s (finally applying for his WWI Purple Heart at the urging of his well known friends around this time as well). 

 

After a long and illustrious career spanning both World Wars, and taking him from Private to Two Star General. Shea finally retired in 1953, living out his final two decades in Florida, where he would pass away of Emphysema in 1971.  

 

Awards include:

Army Distinguished Service Medal, two Silver Stars, two Legions of Merit, the Purple Heart, Mexican Border Service Medal, WWI Victory Medal with three Silver Citation Stars, WWI Occupation Medal, American Defense Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal, WWII Occupation Medal, Commander of the Dutch Order of Orange-Nassau, French Legion of Honor, French Croix d’Guerre, and the Philippine Independence Decoration.

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Grouping of Major General Robert Linvill:

 

Combat veteran of Operation Torch and the Invasion of Italy, Commanding General of the 24th and 1st Infantry Divisions, and Deputy Commander of US ground forces during the American intervention into the Dominican Civil War.

 

Robert Linvill was born to an average family in rural Urbana Ohio. After excelling in school, he was accepted into Ohio State University, where he would study Industrial and Personnel Management while simultaneously serving as an Army Reserve officer.  With the outbreak of war in late 1941, Linvill would be called up for active service, and after additional training and assignment to the 1st Armored Division, would be sent across the Atlantic for the invasion of North Africa. 

 

After seeing heavy action during Operation Torch, and rapid promotion to Lieutenant Colonel, Linvill would embark with his division for Italy, where he would go on to receive three Purple Hearts for wounds sustained, a Silver Star and three Bronze Stars for his heroic leadership during the campaign, and the Italian War Merit Cross for valor at the battle of San Benedetto. 

After winning his spurs in the deserts of Africa and the mountains of Italy, with the conclusion of the Second World War, Linvill would return back to the United States, where he would serve as an instructor at Ft. Knox and Ft. Benning, and serve as a staff officer at the Pentagon before being sent abroad to assist in the training of the Brazilian Army. After holding several regimental commands within the 82nd Airborne Division, he would be promoted to Brigadier General in 1962, and later Major General before finding himself at the center of interesting developments in the Caribbean. 

 

After political instability in the Dominican Republic erupted into all out Civil War, the United States and its South American Allies swiftly formed a coalition force to put an end to the conflict and ensure Communism could not spread beyond Cuba. Due to his extensive combat and leadership experience, Linvill would be selected to serve as one of the deputy commanders of the operation. After a swift victory, Linvill would be highly decorated by both his American superiors and Allied commanders, with an award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal, Brazilian Navy Distinguished Service Cross, and the Commander grade to the Brazilian Order of Military Merit. 

 

After finishing his final combat assignment, Major General Linvill would go on to serve as Commanding General of the 24th Division, and later as Commander of the famed 1st Infantry Division before retiring in 1972 after nearly 35 years of service.

 

After enjoying nearly 15 years of retirement, Major General Linvill would pass away in 1986 at the age of 72, and be interred in Arlington National Cemetery in Washington D.C.4BE3B1F2-B4C3-4B23-AC1C-8F423ADF90FE.jpeg.84ed2a960da2d08fc07182e1374a7149.jpeg

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Here’s one that I’m still in the process of researching, and will get its own detailed post soon! 
 

This group is to Lt. Colonel Dr. Roy S. MacElwee. He was a noted Economist, Engineer, and Professor who helped redesign and modernize many of Europe’s ports after WWI. He earned the Commander grade to the Romanian Order of the Crown, the Officer grade of the Order of Polonia Restituta, the Italian Order of the Crown, and the Officer grade of the Belgian Order of Leopold II. 
 

He was definitely one of those rare people that seemed to excel at everything they tried in life! A57C0902-E5B0-4C65-B3C6-298640EF7F34.jpeg.39acc817f4cc32ce3977de73806175a5.jpeg

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collectsmedals

Nothing as spectacular as the groups already shown, but here is a group to a U.S. Navy Rear Admiral with a Vietnamese Navy Distinguished Service Order Second Class.

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IMG_1588.JPG

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Salvage Sailor

Career USN Submarine Sailor, Chief of Boat (COB)

007.jpg.a3e83e7f6748f41e3137307d4b0e46ff.jpg

5th Row:  Republic of Vietnam Staff Service Medal (first class), Technical Service Medal (second class), Gallantry Cross unit citation

6th Row:  Civil Actions Medal unit citation

 

JerryJacks008.jpg.febfca3136865a833aaedd681bf01915.jpg

 

JerryJacks010a.jpg.53b3fbc6b1e47899886bf55ba0d71566.jpg

 

JerryJacks009.jpg.b994dbda6554b3405c6c7cc800608373.jpg

 

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Millionaire Harvard Graduate, flight school at Cambridge England
Joined the RCAF in 1940 = 30 WAR OPS - RCAF WELLINGTON 1C & III BOMBING MISSIONS
then USAAF in 1943 =

9th USAAF, 451st - B-26 BOMBING MISSIONS
58TH mission shot down and went to STALAG LUFT III , sent the day before the GREAT ESCAPE
and his KU-1303 GERMAN FILE has him back at the original interrogation location NOTED as
already been here, Dated the day after the GREAT ESCAPE thinking he got there during the aftermath
and was turned away AND sent back

Mother died in Prisoner of war camp, Father was also interned and lived
Brothers wife also a Prisoner of War taken at the same time as mother and father

I have a very extensive history with loads of great info will post to the group section once the
wall display is finished
post1.jpg.3e757fc623c3e28fc827352d0932b54d.jpg
 

 

image.png.4427b574f8c11ded8d46529f27af0b70.png

 

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9 hours ago, collectsmedals said:

Nothing as spectacular as the groups already shown, but here is a group to a U.S. Navy Rear Admiral with a Vietnamese Navy Distinguished Service Order Second Class.

IMG_1586.JPG

IMG_1588.JPG

Beautiful group! I love the Vietnamese DSO!

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8 hours ago, GAZOO said:

Millionaire Harvard Graduate, flight school at Cambridge England
Joined the RCAF in 1940 = 30 WAR OPS - RCAF WELLINGTON 1C & III BOMBING MISSIONS
then USAAF in 1943 =

9th USAAF, 451st - B-26 BOMBING MISSIONS
58TH mission shot down and went to STALAG LUFT III , sent the day before the GREAT ESCAPE
and his KU-1303 GERMAN FILE has him back at the original interrogation location NOTED as
already been here, Dated the day after the GREAT ESCAPE thinking he got there during the aftermath
and was turned away AND sent back

Mother died in Prisoner of war camp, Father was also interned and lived
Brothers wife also a Prisoner of War taken at the same time as mother and father

I have a very extensive history with loads of great info will post to the group section once the
wall display is finished
post1.jpg.3e757fc623c3e28fc827352d0932b54d.jpg
 

 

image.png.4427b574f8c11ded8d46529f27af0b70.png

 

Great group Dennis! Are the DFC and Air Medal engraved?

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9 hours ago, Salvage Sailor said:

Career USN Submarine Sailor, Chief of Boat (COB)

007.jpg.a3e83e7f6748f41e3137307d4b0e46ff.jpg

5th Row:  Republic of Vietnam Staff Service Medal (first class), Technical Service Medal (second class), Gallantry Cross unit citation

6th Row:  Civil Actions Medal unit citation

 

JerryJacks008.jpg.febfca3136865a833aaedd681bf01915.jpg

 

JerryJacks010a.jpg.53b3fbc6b1e47899886bf55ba0d71566.jpg

 

JerryJacks009.jpg.b994dbda6554b3405c6c7cc800608373.jpg

 

Very neat set! 

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9 hours ago, LYONSJ9 said:

Great group Dennis! Are the DFC and Air Medal engraved?


   Thanks Sadly NO but the Pilot Bracelet / Harvard Fox Dagamma Medal and the 35 world championship crew medal are :)
also have his RCAF Log book with great entries
LIKE HAMBURGE ON TOAST - big tornado fires

Oh here is an interesting letter dated 15 DEC 1943 Requesting his RCAF  Awards, Apparently he was carrying this when he was captured
as it was in his German KU-1303 POW FILE
REQUESTING his RCAF medals as the war was still on going :)

Oh forgot to mention his EUROPEAN AIRCREW MEDAL is an original (checked multiple tells and they all point to original)

folder5bjpg.jpg.7e874fec20e056b907aeb76a62088b06.jpg

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manayunkman

Lieutenant General Robert J. Friedman USAF


LG Friedman started his military career in the Army Artillery in 1935 as a Second Lieutenant.

 

By the time the war started he was Captain in the Ferry Command.

 

He eventually served with 2 different AAF bomb units in Europe.

 

During the Korean War he received his first Legion of Merit for his plans for the effective employment of US airpower in the war.

 

His service continued until 1970 when he retired.

 

He was the recipient of the Korean Order of National Security Merit.

 

There are two in the collection.

 

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The group

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A048815B-484C-48E7-ACB8-631CFE2DE2BD.jpeg

 

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EF3106FD-F5D1-47E7-B2C4-B5F3B8B3A05F.jpeg

 

Friedman 

805F35D9-793D-44B0-9091-9CFD5D654BE7.jpeg

 

83B560CA-6A27-4293-B7D1-5882017ED27B.jpeg

 

2EE95D7B-889A-4C18-9686-D2C2FC805329.jpeg

 

2E83F5BA-7AF8-4FE6-8670-DEA92A775D0A.jpeg

 

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3DE746AC-F4BD-4A42-95AF-3E3613F5E419.jpeg

 

CA08C34B-066D-4B3D-8809-EC04E12A5206.jpeg

 

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Almost forgot he was the recipient of the Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand.

There is a great biography on line with very detailed information.

C90EF013-F22A-4D9E-9272-E3DB073BEAFE.jpeg

 

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Interesting that Friedman wore no wings in his portrait.  Has an Air Medal, but perhaps didn’t qualify for an flight-related wing?

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manayunkman
1 hour ago, KurtA said:

Interesting that Friedman wore no wings in his portrait.  Has an Air Medal, but perhaps didn’t qualify for an flight-related wing?

He must have flown for some reason.

 

All the wings in the collection are Korean.

 

The General was a pilot just not a military pilot.

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3 minutes ago, manayunkman said:

He must have flown for some reason.

 

All the wings in the collection are Korean.

 

The General was a pilot just not a military pilot.

Interesting.  Thanks. 

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4 hours ago, manayunkman said:

Lieutenant General Robert J. Friedman USAF


LG Friedman started his military career in the Army Artillery in 1935 as a Second Lieutenant.

 

By the time the war started he was Captain in the Ferry Command.

 

He eventually served with 2 different AAF bomb units in Europe.

 

During the Korean War he received his first Legion of Merit for his plans for the effective employment of US airpower in the war.

 

His service continued until 1970 when he retired.

 

He was the recipient of the Korean Order of National Security Merit.

 

There are two in the collection.

 

46FDE9DD-E735-45B7-9DD6-A89681D1BC17.jpeg

 

The group

47AA329F-7BB9-44CB-B83E-626FD2DCBBF4.jpeg

 

A048815B-484C-48E7-ACB8-631CFE2DE2BD.jpeg

 

46353592-6E6F-490D-B2B1-BAA5043E9FAE.jpeg

 

EF3106FD-F5D1-47E7-B2C4-B5F3B8B3A05F.jpeg

 

Friedman 

805F35D9-793D-44B0-9091-9CFD5D654BE7.jpeg

 

83B560CA-6A27-4293-B7D1-5882017ED27B.jpeg

 

2EE95D7B-889A-4C18-9686-D2C2FC805329.jpeg

 

2E83F5BA-7AF8-4FE6-8670-DEA92A775D0A.jpeg

 

6AE70BE7-D33B-4055-A8DF-72154A31D21E.jpeg

 

3DE746AC-F4BD-4A42-95AF-3E3613F5E419.jpeg

 

CA08C34B-066D-4B3D-8809-EC04E12A5206.jpeg

 

05A15833-BA87-49E5-90CA-3C75CEBBB7B9.jpeg

 

4713A562-ED80-47F0-96C7-DBED864511F2.jpeg

 

0E39187B-B581-4D25-B306-402FBBDBFD1E.jpeg

 

555E0980-FA35-4D68-9A27-429D190D9585.jpeg

 

Almost forgot he was the recipient of the Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand.

There is a great biography on line with very detailed information.

C90EF013-F22A-4D9E-9272-E3DB073BEAFE.jpeg

 

The shoulder boards with the medal stars are interesting, 1st time I’ve seen this, very cool.

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